Nimewaletea chai, Ruto tells cops in Haiti as he gifts them Kenyan-made tea leaves

President William Ruto surprised the Kenyan police officers currently serving under the Multinational Security Support in Haiti with Kenyan-made tea leaves during his visit.

Ruto who arrived in the country Saturday afternoon after an almost 20-hour flight from Nairobi was accompanied by several leaders.

“Nimewaletea chai. Iko chai mingi hapa (I have brought you tea. There is a lot of tea here),”  he was heard saying.

“Wapi Mutiso mtu ya logistics? iko chai nimeletea watu yako hapa. Watu wakunywe chai,” (Where is Mutiso, the logistics person, there is tea here for your people. People should drink tea) he added as he handed it over to the officer.

Ruto was addressing the officers at Port-au-Prince.

The tea leaves packed in boxes were handed over to him by Monica Juma, the National Security Advisor who is accompanying him.

Ruto is in the US for the 79th  United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and was visiting the country to assess on the progress 100 days since its deployment.

Also accompanying him is Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

“I came here especially to know about your progress so that friends and partners who believe in stability and peace can work with me at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to make sure that you get the requisite support to ensure that you deliver,” he said.

He is set to deliver an address during the General Assembly in New York where he will appeal for more support from international partners towards the success of the mission.

Officers who had an opportunity to speak during the session with the president sought clarifications about their compensation.

“Sir there is one concern about the compensation that we have never known. In case of anything what is going to happen? We are not aware,” one officer asked.

In response, Ruto said they have a cover back in the country.

“You already have a cover in Kenya that makes sure that you have an insurance cover under the National Police Service insurance cover framework,” he said.

“You will be informed of any additional covers that may be necessary.”

Another officer Daniel Jomo requested to know when some additional equipment is set to be availed to them.

“I am an operator. Sir, our colleagues from Recce were lucky to have their equipment brought in, those of us from APS are yet to get it, I would like to request you through the DIG and Otunge to have it brought to us…When we are clearing the roads, it is not an easy job,” he said.

“We woke up at 3 am and returned at 7 pm. We opened the road and to open it Mr president, it is not an easy job. Kenya we have resources, we are not poor,” he said.

Ruto acknowledged the challenge assuring the officers that the issue will be addressed as soon as possible.

The mission whose one-year mandate as authorised by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ends next month is set to be extended.

“As the lead nation, Kenya will be calling attention to the need to seize the opportunity of the last few weeks to realise the mandate of UNSC resolution 2699,” he said.

President Ruto noted that the international community must pay attention to needs in Haiti.

During his visit, Ruto also met the Transitional Presidential Council President Edgard Le Leblanc.

He observed that the United Nations-backed Mission has injected hope in the people of Haiti.

The Head of State saluted the officers for their outstanding work in securing critical infrastructure and restoring peace in regions that had proven impossible to stabilise in previous operations.

He said the Mission, under the Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, has made tangible progress in the restoration of peace and stability in the country.

“Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks’ time and look forward to the requisite support to enable their deployment,” he said.

Kenya dispatched the first contingent in June 2024.

by FELIX KIPKEMOI